May 10 - Helen Hays Honorary Doctorate

I have been out of town for a few days - not birding. Rather it was a great pleasure to go to Storrs, Connecticut to be present at one of the commencement ceremonies at the University of Connecticut where Helen Hays, the founder and head of the Great Gull Island Project where I work was awarded an honorary doctorate for her over forty-five years of work on Great Gull Island. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Helen for over forty years, since I was a college student. When I have a chance in the next few days I will try to post the text of the award declaration but it the meantime, below are a few pictures of the ceremony. I am sorry the quality of the pictures is not beter, but the seats we were assigned were on the far side of the arena.

Helen receives her Doctoral "hood" from Dean Teitelbaum

Helen receives award citation and doctorate from Dean Teitelbaum and Provost Mun Choi

during her commencement address Helen gives a "Go Huskies!" cheer